Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my digital copy in exchange for an honest review...I am sure I requested this book based on the cover alone because I really do like this cover a lot...but I actually really enjoyed the book itself as well. Two sisters, separated by their parents' bad decisions are forced to come together to fix up their Grandmother's house when she dies... Grandma had a plan, though, to try and bring the sisters together again so she created a mystery leaving clues all over the house...I really liked the story line and I loved almost all of the characters involved...I would definitely recommend it but I could be biased as I really love any book having to do with mysteries or scavenger hunts or even just leaving a house to a family member so we can watch them grow :)

When We Were Sisters started a bit slow for me but after about 75% in I really enjoyed the story. The story is about 2 women who grew up in the Foster Care system, becoming bonded as sisters and facing the secrets that slowly are uncovered. Overall, I enjoyed the story.

i found this book heartwarming.. If you are looking for a story about family, love, loss and finding family again, this book is for you. I enjoyed this book so much that once I started it, I did not stop until I finished it.

Thank you #NetGalley, #Bookouture and #CynthiaEllingsen for the advance readers copy for my honest review.

Oh I loved this book. A beautiful story about the bond between sisters that paved the way for a new relationship.

2 sisters separated in childhood by circumstances found themselves coming face to face as per the terms of the grandmother’s will.

A sweet poignant read filled with bucket loads of emotions, I loved the author Cynthia Ellingsen’s writing. Her style and dramatics made the prose come alive. Emotions touched my heart by the strength of their purity

When bickering and arguments and subsequent make-ups didn’t suffice, the author added a bit of mystery with old secrets and a tinge of romance. Both the sisters came across as genuine, and I found myself rooting for them.

They were different in their characteristics but similar in their love for each other, though they had to dust away the resentment and complaints to forge their bond again. JAYNE was my favorite.

The book and its lovable characters gave me a few pleasant hours where love and forgiveness resided in the bond between family, especially the unbreakable one with your sister. For me, it was UNPUTDOWNABLE

When Jayne Winters learns that she has inherited half of her grandmother’s oceanside estate in North Carolina, she is stunned. It’s been twenty years since she visited Woodsong Harbor, but Jayne can still remember the taste of saltwater taffy on her tongue, the tangy scent of the ocean blending with freshly baked pastries in the air. But there is a catch: Jayne must spend the next six months renovating the house with her estranged sister, Charlotte.

Arriving at the gorgeous but crumbling Victorian house, Jayne is transported back to the one magical summer she and Charlotte spent there and hopes that maybe this can be a fresh start. But it seems Charlotte doesn’t share the same wish, and her frosty demeanor leaves Jayne feeling lonelier than ever. Luckily there are other people in town she can turn to, not least the handsome local fireman Logan, who understands only too well what it’s like to have your family torn apart.

With Logan’s help, Jayne feels brave enough to confront her sister and start to mend the years of silence between them. But just as it seems like they may be able to have a relationship after all, the sisters discover a letter that reveals the truth about their parents’ bitter divorce. As sides are taken and tensions build, it seems their grandmother’s dream of reuniting Jayne and Charlotte may never come true.

Why is it that parents are always screwing up their kids?? And then when we have a chance to fix their messes - we sometimes screw them up even more??? These poor sisters with their shared past - differing veiws ON that past and their own personal secrets - makes for fabulous book with a seriously windy road that leads back to love and redemption. A digital copy of this book was provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a heartwarming book about two estranged sisters forced to live together by the terms of their grandmother’s will, in order to get their inheritance. Jayne and Charlotte were close as children, but their parent’s divorce tore the family apart.

I liked the character development each sister had as they spent more time together, and I thought that their grandmother leaving little things for them to find was a fun idea that brought them closer together. This is a great example of quality women’s fiction, 4 stars.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

When We Were Sisters is a heart-warming story that follows sisters Jayne and Charlotte as they come together to honor their Grandmother's last wishes. As per her will, the sisters have to stay together at their grandmother's house and work on it's renovations. Separated from each other as a result of their parents divorce, the sisters have a lot to work through, if they give each other a chance.

I loved how this book takes you on a roller coaster of emotions with a strong focus on the bond between the sisters. The love for a sibling is one of the most basic and the author captures the yearning to connect and be a family, very well. At first reluctant, the sisters are forced to confront their feelings and try to talk to one another. As the story progresses, the reader will find out more and more about their past, the circumstances behind their parents decisions and some hidden truths which have the strength to break a person.

In the midst of all this, we see stability in Charlotte's life, not without it's own problems but those which  can be worked out together. Jayne deals with the beginnings of a new romance as well as the chance to finally connect with her sister and her family. As their lives mix, Jayne tries to form bonds with her nephews and bring back some light into her sister's eyes reminiscent of their childhood.

This is a story of love, loss, summer fun and a second chance at a relationship that could help to heal old wounds and even some new ones. Secrets are never good and they have the power to destroy everything. However, I think that the strength of the characters and perseverance bring this story together with a conclusion that is tearful and full of joy. I definitely recommend this book that is filled with all kinds of emotions and is beautifully written until the end!

I sometimes try to stay away from books that are promoted as “emotional.” I like to read to escape, and with the world the way it is, I don’t need any additional “emotion” in my life.
I’m glad I made an exception for this one however, because I enjoyed Charlotte and Jayne’s journey. It’s not exactly breaking new ground, but the author does an admirable job of making the characters likeable and the story plausible.
As usual, you can get the gist of the plot through the blurb. I thought the premise was good and the introduction of the different aspects of the plot were revealed at the right times to keep the action moving. It never felt like it stalled.
I will say that I didn’t feel that there was a lot of depth to the characters, but I liked that in this story. It didn’t need to be totally heavy. We got enough of each of the characters to understand their motivations.
The author used a mixture of methods to relay different time periods. Most were flashbacks of Jayne’s, as she the story really belongs to her – it’s pretty much her point of view. Even descriptions of Charlotte’s actions or demeanor are seen through Jayne’s eyes.
There were some parts that seemed stilted. Descriptions of food felt forced and a few things that I thought would go places (such as Jayne’s job and her decision towards the end regarding the house) seemed to be rushed. A few subplots didn’t seem to serve much purpose and went nowhere.
Additionally, the “big reveals” were interesting but not the “aha” moments they could have been. They didn’t make me gasp or think “that was unexpected.” Not that it’s a thriller that needs that, but the few moments that could have been the most emotional ended up being more, “oh, yeah, okay, that happened. What next?”
I know that sounds like a criticism, but it really isn’t. As a result of the even tempo of the plot, it’s all a nice even story that just sort of lulls the reader along. Even the conflicts aren’t fraught, they just add some color to the story.
I did like the grandmother’s “tricks,” and I felt that her knowledge of the situation was revealed at just the right times. I know that sounds repetitive, but not rushing it all at once added to the laid-back pace of the story.
All in all, it was a pleasant read that is perfect for the summer to fall transition we are entering. I would recommend this book.

A women's contemporary fiction When We Were Sisters is the story of Jayne and Charlotte who are sisters but separated due to circumstances not created by them. Set in North Carolina its a novel about sisterhood, trying to heal from the wounds of the past and moving forward again.
Though the ending is predictable this book makes a wonderful read. Its endearing and emotional to read the way these sisters struggled to stay connected throughout their life but still are separated. And when they finally start connecting you will become their cheer squad. The only thing I would have liked more was Charlotte's point of view in her words. I really enjoyed this book.

A very heartwarming story. I hoped for the sisters to find their way back to each other at the oceanside house left to them by their grandmother. A very typical summer beach read, but again very heartwarming and the characters very likeable.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Jayne and Charlotte are left a beach house in the estate of their late Grandmother. Years earlier the girls parents have gone through a messy divorced and the girls are separated, Jayne moved to Ireland with her Mum and Charlotte remains in States. Both girls have obviously abandonment issues because of this and instead of being close siblings, hardly know how to speak to each other. Their Grandmother has a plan to get them back together renovating her old beach house where the girls have some amazing memories and has left them a scavenger hunt to remind them of their times together and the bond that can't be broken.

Whilst this book is very emotional in places it still manages to somehow be a lovely summer read, as the Sisters try to work through their own personal issues that have come around because of the separation, they try to re-build that bond they shared when they were small. Jayne moves into the beach house with Charlotte and her family whilst they try to do the renovations and the Sisters try to reconnect.

It is the first book I have read by the author but hopefully it won't be the last. I really enjoyed the writing style and the colourful characters. The book is written from Jaynes POV, and moves through different time periods from the present back to when the girls were young. It also shares aspects from both girls childhoods when there were together and how their lives were after they have been separated. It is a truly awful circumstance and I can't imagine every being separated from my Sister. Even thought I might have relished it in my teenage years....

Jayne and Charlotte are two sisters that have lived separate lives for longer than they can remember. After being separated as young kids by their parents, their anger and resentment towards the situation soon became stronger than their bond and tore them apart. One day they find out their grandmother left them a house after she passes away, but the caveat of them keeping the house is that they must spend the summer working to restore it together. Can they find a way to get over the past and be in each others' lives again as they work to restore the house, can they restore their relationship as well?

This was such an enjoyable summer read for me. I found myself quickly drawn into the story as it began to unravel and couldn't wait to see how it would play out! As the story progressed, I began to go back and forth with each sister. First, taking Jayne's side and blaming Charlotte. Then, taking Charlotte's side and blaming Jayne. Back and forth. I couldn't decide! But I loved the unexpected ending and can't wait to read more from the author!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC in exchange for my review and honest opinions.

When We Were Sisters by Cynthia Ellingsen was a lovely read and I was gripped by the very first few pages.
Two sisters who haven’t spoken for twenty years. One summer to bring a family back together. "I couldn't even think of not talking to my sisters for less than a few days! But twenty years! wow!!!!

Jayne Winters hasn’t seen her sister Charlotte for twenty years ever since their last childhood holiday at their grandmother’s in North Carolina beach house. They were separated after that summer by their parents in a bitter divorce, Charlotte has never forgiven Jayne, every time she thinks back, she can never forgive her for what happened and not fighting for them to stay together.
Jane discovers that their grandmother has died and she has left the beach house to her and her sister. Their grandmother's last wish was for them to renovate it together, it feels like a miracle: and one last chance to win her sister back. It takes a while but slowly they start to talk to each other, lots of great memories start to come back of their childhood together and they were so close.....
The Jayne discovers that Charlotte has kept a heart-stopping secret from their past from her.

Can she find it in her heart to forgive her sister? and become close again?

Wow this is a really good book and it made me think - what if that happened to me and my 3 sisters! Is all falling out? Could we find it in our hearts to forgive each other and become friends and close sisters again?
Shudder I would hate that to happen!

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review.

'When we were sisters' by Cynthia Ellingsen is an emotional but gripping story about two sisters who were separated at their young age by their parents. It not only is thought provoking and interesting, it also raises a lot of questions in our mind about parenting, children's hearts and their expectations

Jayne Winters and Charlotte are two sisters who discover that they have been named as the beneficiary of their Grandmother's will of her oceanside estate in North Carolina but with a very novel condition. They have been estranged for many years except for one summer in their childhood when they had spent the summer with their granny.
The condition in the will gives them an opportunity to connect, get to know each other and also reminisce of the past. Old wounds are also touched. Would the once estranged sisters be able to find love again, will they be able to reconcile the mistakes of their parents and whats the surprise that I didnt expect to find.

The story is written very beautifully, goes back and forth between past and present. It is narrated from the OV of Jayne and I as a reader did take sides as the story progressed but at the end I was much wiser that it is never good to take sides in emotional matters related to children and heart. It made me think, ponder about my childhood, my parenting of my children and so much more. It will be difficult to put the story down. The story also takes us to the scenic beach town with a parallel story of romance and friendship. The sisters journey of rediscovering each other, their past and the present to step into a future unknown along with the grandmother's surprise gifts all makes it a very enjoyable read.

If you love emotional stories then do pick this one up. I loved it.
I thank the author, The publisher Bookouture and Netgalley for approving my request to review and providing with an eARC. The opinions expressed are all mine.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for allowing me to read this Arc.
Two sisters, Charlotte and Jayne were separated when they were young, Jayne moving to Ireland with her mother while Charlotte stayed in the USA with her father. They haven't seen or been in contact with each other for twenty years. But their grandmother has left them her house with the condition they renovate it together. Read on to find out how that goes!!! A bittersweet read and I loved it.

The story of two sisters separated when their parents divorced with one living in Ireland and the other in the US, the pain of separation and the selfishness of parents meant that they completely lost touch with bitterness on both sides. So when their grandmother leaves them a stunning beachfront house on the proviso that they restore it together can old hurts and jealousies be overcome and bring the sisters back together.

A lovely warm story that captivates you from the beginning, it soon becomes clear that there is a lot of hurt on both sides but that the hurt stems from love and the fear of rejection. It is lovely to see the family secrets unfold and the flashbacks to when they were happy together. Perfect beach read

Having a sister myself, I just adored this sweet sister story. Two sisters separated for many years are reunited to restore their mutual grandma's home that they have both inherited. I had ideas of how I wanted this book to end, but the real ending is so much better than I could have imagined. Do yourself a favor and get swept away into this heart-warming family tale for the ages. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a copy of this book for an honest review.

I loved this book! But, then again, I could resonate with the essential theme of two sisters being separated and coming together again. I hadn’t been in one of my sister’s lives for thirteen years. I believe the author did a good job of capturing all the emotions at play and wreaking havoc.

In this book, the two sisters were separated by well-meaning parents but that doesn’t mean that it was necessarily the smartest decision in the long run. Fast forward twenty-five years and the two of them inherit their grandmother’s house. Part of the stipulation in the will is that the sisters work to restore the old, beautiful, oceanside home together. The one sister is married, and this added another dynamic as her family—her husband and two sons were around. The single sister gets to meet her brother-in-law and nephews for the first time.

This was a gripping page-turner, and I highly recommend from the layered characters to the gorgeous backdrop in a small ocean town next to the water. Thank you to Bookouture, NetGalley, and the author for the advanced reading copy.

An emotionally satisfying tale about love, loyalty, family ties and the bonds that break, Cynthia Ellingsen’s When We Were Sisters is a poignant, tender and astute tale that will tug at the heartstrings.

Jayne Winters hasn’t seen her sister Charlotte since that fateful summer at their grandmother’s North Carolina beach house after their parents’ acrimonious divorce had split their family up for good and caused irreparable damage. Charlotte has never been able to forgive her sister for not fighting for the two of them to stay together, so she isn’t exactly jumping for joy when she discovers that their grandmother has left the beach house to her and her sister and that her dearest wish was for the two of them to renovate it together.

The atmosphere is tense at the beach house with the two of them barely speaking to one another. But could this be the chance for them to heal from old wounds and repair their fractured relationship? As memories of idyllic summers come rushing back, the sisters begin to get closer and find themselves ever so slowly start vanquishing old ghosts and unshackling themselves from the past. But just when Jayne begins to feel that she finally has her sister back after all this time, the rug is well and truly pulled out from under her feet when she discovers that her sister has kept an earth-shattering secret from her for years.

Will Jayne be able to forgive Charlotte? Can the two of them finally be sisters again? Or are some wounds simply far too big to ever heal?

An absorbing, heart-wrenching and uplifting tale, When We Were Sisters is a moving family drama about forgiveness, letting go of the past and learning to trust again sure to strike a chord with readers everywhere. As always, Cynthia Ellingsen writes with great warmth and sensitivity and effortlessly plumbs the depth of the human heart with deftness, panache and style.

A thought-provoking read that will make readers laugh and cry, When We Were Sisters is the story of two siblings who love each other very much who find themselves realizing what’s really important in life in the most startling and unexpected of ways.

Hopeful and heartwarming, Cynthia Ellingsen’s When We Were Sisters is a novel women’s fiction fans are going to thoroughly enjoy.

Brought back together by their Grandmother’s will and last wishes, sisters Charlotte and Jayne, separated by divorcing parents when they were young, reunite to renovate her old beach house. As paint is chipped away and walls torn down, so are feelings and barriers, as they confront long-held secrets and memories. Their grandmother has hidden letters and remembrances throughout the house. Will her dying wish and carefully planned treasure hunt bring them back together?

This is a sweet summer read about sisters, secrets, and the importance of loved ones. The story flowed so well I read it in one sitting. It is a story of two sisters who have endured separation, rejection, and loss due to the actions of their parents. This novel emphasizes the importance of family, with all its complications and flaws. Full of heartbreak and secrets, but also love and hope, When We Were Sisters shows us how the strings that bind us with our loved ones are still present, even across time and distance.

Four and a half stars, rounded up to five on sites without a half-star option.

I received a free copy of this book from Bookouture via Netgalley. My review is voluntary.